More Than One Night

chapter two

Aurora

"So you know nothing else about him?" Gabby called me asking how my shift was last night which I answered vaguely so now I'm filling her in on my night with Logan.

"Nope, his name was Logan and we had sex at his place and I left. We didn't speak much so it's obvious what we both wanted."

"Wow, he must have been really fit if you went home with him after work. I've never known you do that before."

"Yeah well, whatever. I prefer it that way. I don't want anything serious with what happened with you know who." I shudder at the thought of my ex cheating on me. I need to get on the treadmill and run these thoughts away.

Gabby went on to fill me in on her night with Dean and of course oversharing every little detail as usual. I'm happy she has Dean, I can tell she really loves him.

I sometimes feel jealous at the fact I thought I had that. Someone who was there for me while I broke down. Losing my parents made me a different person I know that. The pain, the grieving, moving out of my childhood home.

I changed but I couldn't stop it happening. Jake didn't want me for who I was anymore and ended up with his dick in someone else.

"I'm going to the gym, need to do my run." I suddenly say to Gabby. She knows I need to run to clear my mind. I told her everything one night after I suffered a panic attack during a shift at work.

"Of course babe. How about you move to my gym and let Dean train you? It will be better for your body-"

"I'll think about it." I interrupt.

I know Gabby is only looking out for me but I guess I'm stubborn and don't want someone criticizing me or my body.

◇◇◇

I sit nursing a coffee with a novel in my hand. I come to this cute little place near Aunt Nicola's, The Coffee Pocket. It's a rustic café but with a book store attached.

Iris who owns the building is friends with my Aunt and knew my Mom and Dad. She lets me sit here for hours and hours, sometimes dropping a cupcake and a coffee off at my table as she passes.

I'm not having the best day today. Mom's birthday is soon approaching and honestly I can't even think about her without losing it and crying my eyes out.

Everyone tells me it will get better with time but when is that? It's nearly been 18 months since the accident and I can't say I'm feeling any fucking better.

"What have we chosen to read today then dear?" Iris approaches my table and I set my book down, folding the page as a bookmark.

"Italian mafia romance." I answer her, taking a bite out of the blueberry muffin she brought over to me.

"Ah, very good choice. And are you working tonight?"

"Yeah, 7pm until midnight tonight, I pulled the shorter shift which is rare for a Saturday I know."

Iris smiles at me, reaching for my hand. She is a very good looking woman for her age, she is late 50's but literally looks not even a day over 40. Her long dark hair tied up into a neat bun and her apron covered in flour from the pastries she makes.

I smile at her, knowing I have her and Aunt Nic supporting me, wanting me to enjoy my life is a nice feeling.

Later that night, Gabby is back behind the bar with me. It's just turned 9pm so the bar will be filling up shortly.

"Hey, did you give anymore thoughts on my offer about joining the gym where Dean works?"

She will not let this go.